Investigation of the effect of hard-template method and chemical activation on the properties of biopitch-based carbon foams

In this study, the template method was applied to produce carbon foam by using biopitch obtained from hornbeam wood sawdust, which is a sawdust waste, and the characteristics of the materials were investigated. In this context, biopitch was obtained as a result of vacuum distillation of the liquid product acquired as a result of the pyrolysis of hornbeam sawdust at 400 °C with a heating rate of 7 °C/min in the first stage of the thesis. By applying elemental analysis, GC/MS, FT-IR, and 1H-NMR analyses to the pyrolysis liquid product; elemental analysis, FT-IR, and thermogravimetric analysis, as well as ash content determination, softening point and true density measurements were performed for the biopitch, and their properties were examined. In the second step, biopitch-based green foams were produced in the high temperature/pressure reactor and carbonized. Biopitch-based carbon foam properties produced by conventional foaming versus hard template addition ratio (template: biopitch ratio = 1, 5, 10, 20, 30 by weight) and chemical activation treatment (potassium hydroxide: foam ratio = 1:1 by weight) effects were investigated. The structures of carbon foams prepared with different techniques were elucidated by applying methods such as elemental analysis, x-ray diffraction, BET surface area, scanning/transmission electron microscopy, as well as true and bulk density, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity measurements. In the light of the data obtained, it has been concluded that carbon foams can be produced by using wood-based biopitch as an alternative to fossil fuel-derived pitches, and product properties can be diversified by applying the template method or chemical activation process.